Thoughts from the interface of science, religion, law and culture

After spending several years touring the country as a stand up comedian, Ed Brayton tired of explaining his jokes to small groups of dazed illiterates and turned to writing as the most common outlet for the voices in his head. He has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show and the Thom Hartmann Show, and is almost certain that he is the only person ever to make fun of Chuck Norris on C-SPAN.

EVENTS

Huelskamp Still Wrong on Support for Equality

The competition for the title of the most ignorant and obnoxious member of the U.S. House of Representatives is a lot like the heavyweight boxing division in the 70s, with so many contenders that it’s hard to tell who really deserves the belt. In an interview with Tony Perkins of the FRC, Rep. Tim Huelskamp took his best shot:

This President has a radical social agenda and the media will probably give him a pass when instead of talking about the fact that mom and dad don’t have a job we’re going to talk about how to destroy the family and replace it with his view of a radical new social agenda.

Yes, yes, yes, Obama is trying to “destroy the family,” as if he he could possibly do so even if he wanted to (and since he’s in a family, that seems pretty unlikely). He also claimed that 70 percent of Americans oppose marriage equality, but that’s better than the 85% he claimed was against allowing gay people to marry a year and a half ago. In reality, more than half of Americans, according to many polls, support marriage equality.

Comments

This President has a radical social agenda and the media will probably give him a pass when instead of talking about the fact that mom and dad don’t have a job we’re going to talk about how to destroy the family and replace it with his view of a radical new social agenda.

This qualifies for a Bryan Fischer award (Ed’s award for people psychologically projecting.)

To validate this claim, consider the legislative priorities of the Republican party and compare that to the priorities extended by the Obama Administration.

It’s trew! I have only been married 10 months and already I’ve noticed my wife chatting up the new barmaid at our favorite place. Damn you janiceintoronto! Just remember that Canada is first on the list to be smited!!!11one!!

I can never tell what exactly they mean by “destroy the family” in this context. Are they picturing children born in vats and raised in group homes, Brave New World style? Or is it something more mundane, the way that a generation of few economic opportunities and a militarized police force lead to an epidemic of absent fathers in the inner city? Screw the endgame, what do these people think libruls are trying to accomplish right now?

So even if he’s allowed his own (wrong) numbers, by claiming 70% oppose gay marriage now and 85% opposed it 18 months ago, he’s saying that support for gay marriage has doubled in 18 months. That’s one hell of a bandwagon gathering steam!